Portable suction cleaner



May 14,-1935. 4 A A-BREUER 2,001,121A

PORTABLE SUGTION CLEANER Filed Aug. so, 1934 K YET-inf @dani freaer:

Alll

Patented May 14, 1935 l lPATENT oFFlcE PORTABLE SUCTION CLEANER Adam A. Breuer, Chicago, lll.

Application August 3o,

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a portable suc- .tion cleaner, and more particularly to a Wheelsupported apparatus utilized for cleaningifurnaces and the like, wherein the heavy solid matter' is precipitated in the tank of the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable suctioncleaner of sumcient capacity, yet which is light enough to be manipulated by one operator, so that it may be readily moved from place to place for use. t

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable suction cleaner for cleaning furnaces and the like, of large capacity, which includes a wheel-supported f-tank, and suction producing mechanism so associated with the tank that the suction stream passes through the tank to the suction producing mechanism, whereby the heavy precipitated in the tank and kept away from the` suction producing mechanism, and also kept out of the lusual dust bag employed with such mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand portable suction cleaning device for furnaces and the like with means for imparting a swirling motion to the suction stream within the tank whereby increased precipitation is accomplished, and whereby nothing,r butthe finest of dust passes to the dustvbag and through the suction mechanism.

A further object of the present invention has to do with a novel method of suction cleaning furnaces and the like.

The above, other, and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawing, and appended claims.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates a wheel-supported tank of large capacity, say twelve gallon capacity, a removable cover on which is carried the suction producing mechanism, in the form of an electrically driven suction fan. There is a pipe opening through the cover and connected to the inlet opening of the fan for creating suction through the tank, and there is an inlet openingto the tank formed in the cover so disposed as to discharge into the tank in a direction substantially horizontally, and in addition means are provided on the under side. f the cover for imparting a swirling action to the stream entering the tank through the inlet, whereby the length of travel between the inlet to the tank and the outlet therefrom to the suction producing mechanism is lengthened and precipitation enhanced.

1934, Serial No. 742,055

The accompanying drawingillustrates an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, capable of carrying out the methodi of the present invention, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is a fragmental side elevational view o f a portable suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. l. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line m--m of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of the apparatus.

The drawing will now be explained.

A cylindrical tank l, of large capacity, such for instance as twelve gallon capacity, is supported by a band 2, suitably secured about the body of the tank, and to which band are secured a plurality of rollers or casters i arranged to have swivel action with the band. Brackets t are riveted or otherwise secured to the can l near the top thereof, and thesebrackets carry hooks 5 adapted to engage slotted lugs t on the lid or cover l. Suitable wing nuts d have threaded engagement with the bolts t for tightly clamping the lid to the can.

Preferably the upper end of the can is provided with a reinforcing rib or protuberance 9 for strengthening this end of the can.

The under side of the cover l is provided with an annular recess it in which is inserted a gasket for engaging against the uppenmargin of the can body, to seal the connection between the lid and the can and make such connection airtight.

Suction producing mechanism, A, comprising iny the present instance, a motor l Il driving a suction fan within the fan casing i 2 is"secured to the outside of the lid ,ll by means of straps i3 o rother suitable means. A single strap i3 is illustrated, although it is understood that more may be used if necessary. The ends'of the strap I3 are fastened to the lid 'i by means of bolts M set into the lid 'l and passing through suitable apertures in the ends of the strap with wing nuts l 5 engaging the threaded ends of the bolts Mto secure the extremities of the strap I3 against the lid so that the suction producing mechanism A is firmly -secured in place on the lid.

To the outlet i6 of the fan casing is removably secured the usual dust bag i1.

A pipe it is connected to the intake inlet of the fan casing l2 and communicates through the lid l with the interior of the tank for creating suction within the tankand a hose connectedto it. f The lid I has formed as an integral `part there- .oi, a suction inlet I9 so disposed and fashioned as to discharge a suction stream into the tank in substantially horizontal direction. 'I'he inlet I9 has a part which normally extends beyond the adjacent margin of the cover, to which a. hose, not shown, may be suitably attached.v

'Ihe -inlet I 9 is provided with an opening 2| with which may be associated a glass cup 22 whereby the operator may observe the character of the suction stream passing intok the tank through the hose connected to theoinlet I9.

Secured to the under side of the lid 1, and preferably formed as an integral part thereof, is a curved wall 23 against which the incoming suction stream strikes to divert the direction of said stream and impart a swirling motion to the same. A bottom .or iloor 24 is secured to or formed as a part of the curved wall or baille 23 tocooperate therewith and form a pocket, which tends to confine the incoming suction stream and aid in separating the solid matter from such stream. The curved baule 23 is so shaped as to direct the incoming suction stream away from the outlet to the suction producing mechanism, and thus lengthen the travel of such stream within the tank. The outlet to the suction producing mechanism is indicated at 25 in Figure 4. The provision of the bottom or floor 24 is important in that it tends to maintain a swirling action in substantially horizontal plane, and thereby aids in precipitating solid matter from the stream.

The creation of the swirling action, described, has proved'very benecial in actual experience with machines of the character herein described. It may be mentioned, by Way of example, that one demonstration precipitated ninety-six ounces 'of solid matter, and there were found in the dust bag only two ounces of fine dust.

Repeated experiences with devices of this character have all evidenced the fact that solid matter, except for the finest dust, is precipitated in the tank, and that only the verynest dust passes through the suction producing mechanism to the dust bag. 'I'his is a very important feature, as it prevents damage to the suction producing mechanism and at the same time offers no injury to the dust bag. Were particles of solid matter allowed to enter the fan casing, such particles would damage, if not utterly destroy, the fan and thus render inoperative the whole structure. The present apparatus overcomes any such disadvantage as this, as the precipitation of the solid matter is complete in the tank, with no solid matter oi' such character as would damage the suction fan one whit ever reaching the suction mechanism.

The apparatus of the present invention removes more dust from the suction stream and precipitates it in the tank, than is possible with similar cleaners. This results in less flnedust reaching the bag and filling it, so that the present cleaner may be operated for a longer period of time, without emptying the dust bag.

The invention is claimed as follows:

- l. A suction cleaner adapted to clean furnaces and the like, comprising a tank open at the top, a cover removably secured on said tank, suction producing mechanism mounted on top of said cover, an outlet conduit connected to the intake of said mechanism and extending through a portion of said cover to provide communication with the interior of said tank, an inlet conduit extending through another portion of said cover in substantially horizontal direction, said inlet conduit having a portion thereof extending outwardly of said cover and adapted to receive a hose, and a curved wall formed as a part of said cover and disposed adjacent the discharged end of said inlet to divert the incoming suction stream from direct travel to the outlet and to impart swirling motion to the stream in said tank to lengthen the path of travel thereof and to facilitate the precipitation of solids inl said stream.

2. A lid or cover for a portable suction cleaning apparatus, said lid or cover adapted for removable application to a wheel supported settling casing or tank, a suction producing mechanism mounted on said cover and including a motor and a fan, outlet conduit means carried by and opening vertically through said cover and connected to the inlet of said suction producing mechanism, a radially directed inlet connection on said cover opening therethrough in substantially horizontal direction and having a portion projecting beyond the cover periphery to provide a hose connection in communication with the interior of the tank, a baille wall integral with said cover and depending from the inner surface thereof in front of and spaced from said inlet connection and being curved in plan in a direction away from said outlet,`and disposed with the concave face thereof towards said inlet, and a horizontal shelf or portion extending toward said inlet from said wall and joined to said wall, said wall and shelf cooperating to cause swirling motion of the air stream entering through said inlet and to confine such swirling motion of the air stream to substantially the zone between said shelf and said cover.

ADAM A. BREUER. 

